Reverend Marie Berbick, a Jamaican-born pastor, motivational speaker, and life coach, was recently awarded the prestigious President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by the outgoing Joe Biden Administration.
Berbick received the honor in person on Tuesday, Jan. 21, following two days of celebratory festivities at the U.S. Presidential and Leadership Awards Dinner hosted by the African and Caribbean International Leadership Conference. The event was held at the iconic Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Reverend Berbick has now accepted an official invitation from Jamaica’s Consul General, Southern USA, Mr. Oliver Mair, to be a special guest speaker at the motivational event Breakthrough, to take place under the auspices of The Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami, Florida. The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Victory Place International Worship Center in Lauderhill, Florida.
The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and is the highest award presented to civilians by the US President for voluntary service. It recognizes individuals who have dedicated at least 4,000 hours of extraordinary service to their community or country. Honorees are celebrated for their lifelong commitment to building stronger, more compassionate societies through leadership and volunteerism and are recognized in various fields, including religion, philanthropy, politics, and education.
Reverend Berbick’s award salutes her contributions to changing lives through ministry, mentorship, and women’s empowerment.
Reflecting on the award, Reverend Berbick expressed her surprise and elation that she had been nominated and ultimately selected for the prestigious honor.
“To God be the glory. I’m beyond honored and truly humbled to receive this distinguished award. I never saw this coming because I do not do what I do for reward. I do it from my heart. I live to transform people’s lives. Now look what the Lord has done!”
Berbick was also especially excited to receive her award alongside fellow Jamaican musical artiste turned minister Pastor Tyrone’ Papa San’ Thompson, who was among this year’s honorees.
“Oh my goodness! To be side by side with my fellow Jamaican Papa San and being honored by the President in Washington, DC? We are happy to show the world once again that Jamaicans continue to shine. We ‘likkle, but we tallawah’ in every way.”
Born in St. Ann Jamaica, Reverend Berbick is a past student of Ferncourt High School, where she was head girl. She began her professional journey as a journalist, becoming one of the youngest reporters at a national newspaper when the Jamaica Herald hired her at the age of 17. She went on to win two national journalism awards, including Jamaica’s first-ever award for online journalism in 2008. She later transitioned into public relations, managing a successful PR and communications business that served the Jamaican Government, international donor funding agencies, and leading private sector organizations.
Reverend Berbick immigrated to the United States in 2018 and founded Marie Berbick Ministries International (MBMI) in 2020. Known as “The People’s Pastor,” she has built an enthusiastic online following of nearly 100,000, offering inspiring sermons and a teaching and deliverance ministry with numerous testimonies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her Saturday morning broadcasts became a source of solace for countless individuals grappling with trauma and uncertainty.
Through her mentorship program and e-courses, she equips emerging leaders and pastors globally, fostering spiritual resilience and growth.
She is also the founder of Sisters United for Prayer, Healing, Empowerment & Restoration (SUPHER), a New York-based, not-for-profit organization. SUPHER is dedicated to empowering women and vulnerable communities worldwide through initiatives such as Save a Sista, where SUPHER physically removes women from domestic abuse situations. Additional initiatives include back-to-school drives, free social media management training for women, and the 2024 Nikolai Graham Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Scholarship introduction.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Grade 6 student at Glowell Prep School in Portmore, Jamaica, who comes from a single-income household and requires financial aid for high school expenses.
Reverend Berbick’s achievements have been previously recognized with the Most Influential Motivator of the Year Award by the Exclusive Entrepreneurs Foundation (EEF), an international organization highlighting young achievers.
She has been a motivational speaker for over 10 years, is a Les Brown Certified Legendary Speaker, and is a member of his speaker’s academy. She will appear in that capacity at Consul General Mair’s inaugural presentation of Breakthrough.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is Mr. Mair’s brainchild and is described by the consulate as “an exciting day of motivation, self-reflection and empowerment designed to offer attendees the opportunity to reset, refocus and gain an enhanced start to 2025.” Participating speakers will enlighten the audience on goal setting, health and wellness, personal development, and spiritual guidance. Berbick, along with all other Breakthrough speakers, will have the opportunity to answer questions from the audience following their presentations.
Free registration for Breakthrough is available at breakthroughandthrive.eventbrite.com. The information line for the event is 954-559-3955.
Victory Place International Worship Center is located at 4806 North University Drive, Lauderhill, Florida, 33351.
Reverend Berbick is also the author of four books, including Young Believer’s Guide to Effective Prayer, Arise, and the soon-to-be-released Baptism of Fire. These books discuss the challenges she experienced upon entering the ministry and the lessons she has learned that can help other pastors.
She is married to Jamaican international gospel singer Robert Bailey and is the mother of three boys.
